Another First Timer

[Greasy B]

78 cfs at Buck is fine water. Might be a little skinny below Bay Creek.

[Dan Kreher]

Thanks for endorsement. I'll report how we do upon return next week.

[Al Agnew]

Yep, 78 cfs will mean you'll have to walk some of the widest riffles, which you'll start seeing below Rhymers and will see more and more below Bay Creek. It will also require some maneuvering in the rock garden riffles above Rhymers. But it's very doable at that level.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Just back from there. Floated Saturday and Sunday Blue Springs to Rymers, camped on a nice gravel bar opposite a good sized bluff. Water was skinny in places, but very floatable. The fishing was pretty lousy though. Saw a few beds, but couldn't tell if they were sunfish beds or what. Perfect weather on Saturday. Yesterday was a little on the windy side. River could use a good rain.

[Mark]

Sorry to hear fishing was lousy. I'm planning my first trip to JF in early June. Though mostly going for the scenery, I would love to catch some smallmouth.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Mark - by early June the fishing will be better. I think the smallies have other things on their mind right now. Either that or the water was quite chilly - I'd guess in the low 50s. Big high-pressure with sunny blue skies could've been another factor.

I love that river. We got into a discussion of which we like better, the Buffalo or the Jacks. We all agreed that we like the Jacks. Fewer people and just as scenic.

[snap]

Al, I tried to send you a PM last week but it was returned with "Not excepting PMs at this time". I was just wondering when you and Mary were returning to the Show Me State. We have a group going down to the Eleven Point for a weeklong campout starting May 21 and staying until at least Memorial Day. You would know most of us and a couple women to keep Mary company as well. We expect the couples to stay in cabins, but the hemen are camping at gravel bar across from Stinking Pond. We would all love to have you join us sometime for some smallmouth lessons.

..............and some Ozark Mountain Daredevil cover!!!!

[Dan Kreher]

Thanks for endorsement. I'll report how we do upon return next week.

Just got back last night from 3 days on Jacks - Buck to Alley. Water extremely clear and about as low as you'd want to float a loaded solo canoe. Water temps were from high 50s to low 60s by late in day. Fishing was OK but bigger fish hard to come by. Put in about 11 on Sunday and took out last night at 6:30. Mostly fished soft plastics - craws/slider worms/sinkos/small tubes with action sporadic. Goggle eye numerous and was able to cobble together a total of 10 over 8 inches (self-imposed minimum length limit) for a little fish fry before dinner.

Smallmouth sizes were generally from 9-12 inches for most fish with a few 14-15s thrown in each day but not a whole lot. Fish seemed to turn on about 1 pm on Monday/Tuesday and stay on for a couple of hours. Larger fish finally started chasing spinnerbaits around timber with some current yesterday afternoon. With cathing all those little fish -- a 15-incher seemed like a real pig when one would finally hit. Managed to take a 16 on Sinko not too far below Bay Creek and then biggest fish of trip -- nice 17-incher (photo on Matt's camera) -- hit weightless Sinko about 1/2 mile above Alley take out. A strong finish.

Smallies starting to get back on a few beds in choice spots below boulders in slower current. Had a few soft takes but behavior seemed pretty tame in regards to feeding. Expect spawning activity to pick up soon as weather warms back up. Saw lots of larger fish -- particularly in deeper holes below Bay Creek yesterday but not seemingly interested in feeding.

Saw two kayak/campers from Springfield area Monday night/yesterday as only fishermen on stretch. Nice fellas. A group of four day trippers below Bay yesterday and that was it for other people on 3 days of beautiful water. Jacks could use some more water though - another few inches in water level and perhaps some color would make trip even better.

Awakened by goggling turkey Monday morning before six camping right across from Jam-Up Cave. He went on for at least 30 minutes calling for a hen. Very cool.

[Greasy B]

Thanks for the report. You got me thinking about the big holes between Bay Creek and Alley.

[KCRIVERRAT]

Glad you had a good time Dan and thanks for the report. I was planning a JF trip in early June with gravel bar camping but I believe that's been nixed.

Lower back surgery in the next few weeks.

Looks like the canoe won't be out till mid to late summer.

Oh well... the lower river holds some doozie's! (with comfortable accomodations).